I just found this horrible comment buried in a DEA "Intelligence Bulletin" on Buprenorphine from 2004. The same song and dance about Naloxone causing precipitated withdrawals, and other half-truths. Then this:
Using buprenorphine and heroin in combination does not produce increased effects, but if buprenorphine and methadone are abused together, the effects of both drugs are enhanced. Consequently, diverted buprenorphine may be attractive to patients currently using methadone for opiate addiction therapy.
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs10/10123/index.htm#Diversion
I don't know how widely spread this rumour is, as I haven't heard it before. But, for the record:
This statement is 100% entirely wrong. . If you are on Methadone Maintenance, and take any dose of Buprenorphine through any route of administration, you will go into horrible precipitated withdrawals. I have no idea where they got this information, or why they included it in an 'official' government document, but it is completely incorrect.[/i].
Also
There has been a lot of talk lately from Buprenorphine maintenance patients and people considering Buprenorphine maintenance who are either forced to taper and quit or forced to never start treatment due to the high cost (no insurance or insurance won't covor it).
Many Methadone clinics now offer Buprenorphine via Suboxone or Subutex. This is cheaper than visiting a Bupe doctor and paying out of pocket for the visit(s) and prescription(s). You would also have access to a staff of professionals nurses and counselors to help you with treatment.
Plus, many states have a non-Medicaid insurance plan for people with no or limited income. They usually covor doctor visits, prescriptions and outpatient mental health services. In my state (Maryland), I was just accepted into this plan, and it covors 100% of the cost of MMT. It should also covor Buprenorphine.
Please consider these options before putting yourself through a pre-mature detox or going without treatment when you know you need it or would benefit from it. We all deserve help when we need it, and deserve to have it as long as is necessary.